CANADA - MAY 21: Visa and MasterCard credit cards are arranged for a photo in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on Thursday, May 21, 2009. Canada will introduce new disclosure and grace-period requirements for credit card issuers, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said today, as pressure mounts on the government to bolster oversight of the industry. (Photo by Norm Betts/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

OTTAWA — The Competition Tribunal has sided with Visa and MasterCard in a landmark ruling against the federal Competition Bureau, suggesting that Ottawa decide whether ``premium'' credit-card users should face surcharges at the cash register.

The bureau had complained that the credit-card companies exert too much power in forcing merchants to accept credit cards that carry higher processing fees.

Those fees are among the highest in the world, according to the bureau, adding up to between $5 billion and $7 billion annually.

But the tribunal dismissed the case Tuesday, saying the reasons, at least for now, are being kept under wraps.

"The tribunal's reasons are confidential at this time in order to protect properly confidential evidence,'' it said in a statement.

"A public version of the decision will (be) issued as soon as possible after a determination as to what information must remain confidential has been made.''

In a summary of its decision, the tribunal made two findings.

First, it found that Visa and MasterCard did not violate Section 76 of the Competition Act, which would require that merchants resell credit-card products.

However, it also found that restrictions imposed on merchants by Visa and MasterCard, preventing them from applying a surcharge for those customers paying with credit cards, may have had an adverse effect on competition.

Still, the tribunal rejected the complaint on that basis, placing the ball instead in the federal government's court.

It said the proper solution to concerns raised by the commissioner about anti-competitive behaviour on the part of the credit-card companies is regulatory change.

And it suggested there would be a consumer backlash should merchants be allowed to impose surcharges on customers using cards that carry higher interchange fees.

"In that regard ... the experience in other jurisdictions showed that concerns would be raised by consumers regarding surcharging and that sooner than later, intervention would have to take place by way of regulation.''

The ruling will benefit consumers who will not have to face additional costs for using credit cards that offer reward points, said MasterCard Canada president Betty Devita.

"The ability to do (transactions) without having to think about whether or not there will be a surcharge or confusion at the checkout is positive for both consumers as well as merchants,'' she said.

"And ultimately that means positive for us as well.''

Small businesses were hoping the case would provide merchants new powers to push back against rapidly rising credit-card processing fees, said the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.

"While the decision is disappointing, CFIB is pleased the Competition Tribunal recognized the adverse effect Visa's and MasterCard's policies have had on competition,'' said president Dan Kelly, who noted the tribunal's suggestion of a regulatory solution.

The federation called on the Harper government to add new provisions to the Code of Conduct for the Credit and Debit Card Industry, allowing merchants the choice of charging customers more for using premium cards.

"We are particularly disappointed by the decision as U.S. small firms recently gained the ability to surcharge through an out-of-court settlement with Visa and MasterCard,'' said Kelly.

"Given Visa and MasterCard agreed to allow surcharging in the U.S., we expect that Canadian merchants should be allowed the same powers.''